Translation guide
Expresses that something (often negative) is about to happen or is looming. Japanese uses various verbs and constructions depending on the nuance of imminence, threat, or inevitability.
The speaker wants to say that something is on the verge of occurring, usually with a sense of urgency or threat.
Used with the stem of a verb to indicate that something looks like it's about to happen at any moment. Often paired with verbs of falling, breaking, crying, etc.
今にも雨が降りそうだ。
It looks like it's about to rain any moment.
She has a face that looks like she's about to burst into tears.
A verb meaning 'to be imminent' or 'to be pressing'. Often used for deadlines, danger, or urgent situations. Can be used in the progressive form 差し迫っている.
締め切りが差し迫っている。
The deadline is impending.
危険が差し迫っていることを知らせる。
To warn that danger is impending.
Means 'to approach' or 'to draw near', often with a sense of pressure. Used for time, danger, or events. Can be used as 迫っている.
Literary/emphatic pattern meaning 'as if about to'. Attaches to the negative stem of verbs. Stronger than ～そうだ.
空が泣き出さんばかりに曇っている。
The sky is overcast as if about to weep.
The speaker wants to convey that something threatening or inevitable is hanging over them or approaching.
Compound verb combining 迫る (approach) and 来る (come), emphasizing something coming closer with a sense of threat. Often used for danger, crisis, or doom.
迫り来る危険に備える。
Prepare for the impending danger.
迫り来る死の恐怖。
The fear of impending death.
Means 'to await' or 'to lie in wait', often for something inevitable or challenging. Implies a future event that is certain to come.
Literally 'approaching before one's eyes', meaning something is imminent and unavoidable. Often used for crises or deadlines.
危機が目前に迫っている。
The crisis is impending right before our eyes.
The speaker wants to state that an event is scheduled or expected to happen very soon, without necessarily negative connotations.
Means 'to be just around the corner'. Used for events, seasons, or deadlines that are very close. Note: 間近 is read まぢか (with voiced ち).
出産が間近に迫っている。
The birth is impending.
卒業式が間近に迫った。
The graduation ceremony is just around the corner.
Noun meaning 'before one's eyes' or 'imminent'. Often used with に迫る or にしている.
差し迫る emphasizes urgency and pressure, often for deadlines or danger. 迫る is more general 'approach' and can be used for time, seasons, or physical approach. 差し迫る is stronger and more negative.
締め切りが差し迫っている。（強い緊迫感）
The deadline is pressing. (strong sense of urgency)
締め切りが迫っている。（単に近い）
The deadline is approaching. (simply near)
There is no single Japanese adjective that directly corresponds to 'impending'. Using 切迫した (せっぱくした) is possible but very formal and limited to danger or crisis. In most cases, use verb phrases like 迫っている or 差し迫っている.
困難が我々を待ち受けている。
Difficulties are impending for us.
完成は目前だ。
Completion is impending.